Can't see images? Enable option to load images on your phone or email app.
 
Dedication for Service

Baltimore Majlis

Neither Ziaullah nor Inayat Khan (pictured below) is fluent in English. Yet they know how to communicate. They come to the mosque early for Jumu’ah Prayer, they set up a table, brew the coffee, and lay out cookies for the guests.



By the grace of Allah, around 15-20 non-Ahmadi Muslim guests join us for Jumu’ah Prayer. Some are regulars, some attend every now and then, and some are first time attendees who look up the nearest mosque online and Allah brings them to Baitus Samad Mosque in Baltimore.

As Jumu’ah concludes and people offer their Sunnah Prayers, a scene begins to emerge. Strangers with different backgrounds congregate around the coffee table. A Yemeni guest and a Punjabi Ahmadi—neither one of whom can speak English—exchange smiles as one of them receives a cup of hot coffee from the other.



Before you know it, brotherhood, smiles, hugs, appreciation, and compassion begin to fill the part of the mosque where Ziaullah and Inayat Khan are quietly serving coffee. Guests engage in conversation with Jama’at members. Some talk about Islam while others discuss football or their child’s daycare issue. Cards are exchanged. Friendships are forged.

One of the guests recently submitted his Bai’at form. When asked why we were doing this activity, senior members from Baltimore echoed the famous words of Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih III (may Allah’s blessings be on him): To win their hearts.

Ziaullah and Inayat Khan are showing no signs of slowing down.
 

Share this story:

   
These Tax Credits Can Mean a Refund

Taxpayers who are not required to file a tax return may want to do so. They might be eligible for a tax refund and don’t even know it. Some taxpayers might qualify for a tax credit that can result in money in their pocket. Taxpayers need to file a 2017 tax return to claim these credits.

Here is information about four tax credits that can mean a refund for eligible taxpayers:

Earned Income Tax Credit

A taxpayer who worked and earned less than $53,930 last year could receive the EITC as a tax refund. They must qualify for the credit, and may do so with or without a qualifying child. They may be eligible for up to $6,318. Taxpayers can use the 2017 EITC Assistant tool to find out if they qualify.

Premium Tax Credit

Taxpayers who chose to have advance payments of the premium tax credit sent directly to their insurer during 2017 must file a federal tax return to reconcile any advance payments with the allowable premium tax credit. In addition, taxpayers who enrolled in health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2017 and did not receive the benefit of advance credit payments may be eligible to claim the premium tax credit when they file. They can use the Interactive Tax Assistant to see if they qualify for this credit.

Additional Child Tax Credit

If a taxpayer has at least one child that qualifies for the Child Tax Credit, they might be eligible for the ACTC. This credit is for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the child tax credit.

American Opportunity Tax Credit

To claim the AOTC, the taxpayer, their spouse or their dependent must have been a student who was enrolled at least half time for one academic period. The credit is available for four years of post-secondary education. It can be worth up to $2,500 per eligible student. Even if the taxpayer doesn’t owe any taxes, they may still qualify. They are required to have Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, to be eligible for an education benefit. Students receive this form from the school they attended. There are exceptions for some students. Taxpayers should complete Form 8863, Education Credits, and file it with their tax return.

Instructions for Forms 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ list income tax filing requirements. Taxpayers can also use the Interactive Tax Assistant tool on IRS.gov to answer many tax questions. They should look for “Do I need to file a return?” under general topics.

This tax tip covers information for tax year 2017 and is not affected by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Most of the changes in this legislation take effect in 2018 and will affect the tax returns filed in 2019.

More Information:
 

• Publication 596, Earned Income Credit
• Schedule 8812 (Form 1040A or 1040), Child Tax Credit
• Publication 972, Child Tax Credit
• Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education
• Education Credits

Source: IRS.gov
 

Share this story:

Send us your stories of brotherhood, Ijtima memories, or any other inspiring experience that we can share with Ansar brothers via this e-newsletter.

Department of Publications Majlis Ansarullah USA